Toaster device



Jan. 23, 1934. A, B STARR 1,944,473

TOASTER DEVICE Filed March 5,'1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l FlGgzL ATTORNEY i A.B. STARR TOASTER DEVICE Filed March 5, 1930 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR14k/@f1 vJ aff BY ATTORNEY A. B. STARR TOASTER DEVICE Filed March 5,1930 3 SheeS-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 2 3', 1934 period of use thereof.

4iPATE-NT ori-ICE 1,944,413 'roAs'rEa DEVICE amen n. starr, Brooklyn, N.Y., maar m Knapp-Monarch Company, a corporation of Missouri ApplicationMarch 5, 1930.j Serial No. 433,412

9 Claims. (Cl. 161-13) My invention relates tb toaster devices oi?y thetraveling conveyor type, and more particularly to new and improved meansand mechanism for the operation thereof.

One object of my invention is the production of a new and improvedelectromagnetic actuating motor drive for the conveyor of my toasterdevice.

Another object of my invention is the production of a new and simplifieddevice for controlling the actuation of a conveyor chain in a toasterdevice.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of anelectromagnetic driving motor and means for intermittently energizingthe same at definite and regular intervals during the entire A furtherobject of my invention isvthe control of an electromagnetic actuatingmotor by mechanically actuated circuit making and breaking device.

A still further object of my invention is the provision in'combinationwith the'aforementioned mechanical control of means for adjusting thestroke of said motor to vary the speed of operation of the conveyorbeing moved thereby.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electromagneticmotor drive for operlating the aforementioned toaster in which all noiseof the electromagnetic motor is eliminated. An even further object of myinventionis to provide in a device Aof the above described character anelectromagnetic` motor with control means thereforof such a character asto render the operation of the motor silent.

Still further objects of my invention are the simplification of aconveyor toaster drive mechanism, the production of a balance wheelmech;- anism for actuating the electromagnetic driving motor for theconveyor, a new and simpliiied mounting meansv for the operatingmechanism of such a toaster device, and a new and usefulV method ofcontrolling the speed of ltraverse of the conveyor chain. I

More specifically, my invention utilizes a frame work in which ismounted a heater device, guides therebetween for a toastable material, aconveyor chain for carrying the material past the heater device, and anew and convenient drive mech-.-4

anism for the conveyor chain. The drive mechanism consists of a ratchetupon one of the conveyor chain sprocket wheels, a pawl, an electromagnetadapted to the operation thereof, 4and. a mechanical circuit makingandbreaking device for the energization and deenergiaation at relulatedintervals of the coil of the electromagnet.

rThe circuit interrupter consists oran oscillating ily wheel or balancewheel device'having a contact mounted thereon, and cooperating with acontact and impulse device attached to the electromagnet armaturewh'ereby lthe balance wheel is set into operation to open the contactafter a definite time, hold it open for a specied time. and thereafterthe balance wheel is spring relturned to reclose the contact which isreopened by the next cyclic movement. The cyclic opening and closing ofthe circuit through the magnet coil strokes the magnet armature,actuates the pawl and ratchet, and drives: the conveyor chain.

By my invention I am thus enabled to provide a new, convenient andinexpensive motive device for a conveyor type toaster.

Other objects and structural details of my invention will be apparentfrom the following description when .read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein- .Figure 1 is a bottom view of my toasterdevice with the bottom plate removed and showing the actuatingmechanism; y

Fig. 2 is a side view in vertical section'on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; t

Fig. 3 is a partial end view in vertical section on the line 3--3 ofFig. 1, parts being omitted to facilitate the illustration;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged bottom view (as in Fig. 1) of the balance wheeland operating mechanism of the device of my invention; f

Fig. 5 is an end view of the balance wheelfand its mounting, parts beingin section and parts 9 broken away to facilitate the showing; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged bottom view (as in Fig. 1) of the adjustmentmechanism for -varying the speed of the conveyor chain.

Referring to the figures, I provide a foundation sprocket wheels 4, and5 upon whicha conveyor chain 8 :ls positioned.

I further provide an electromagnet for operating the conveyor chain, theelectromagnet having a laminated frame 8, a coil-or winding 9', and anarmature or plunger 10. The laminations of the frame 8 are held togetherby rivets or screws 12 by which supporting em 14 are mirano un; 11

` terial which has the dual advantage of absorbing vibrations to reducenoise of operation of the electromagnet and facilitate proper aligningof the electromagnet coil and amature or plunger.

The rotation of the sprocket wheels and movement of the chain is througha' pawl and ratchet actuated by the electromagnet, and thismechanismwill now b e'descrlbed.

Onev of the sprockets 4 is provided with a circular path of fine teethor knurlings 16' com `prising a ratchet. A swinging arm 19 is journaledupon theshaft 2 (Fig. 2) and positioned adjacent to the ratchet sprocketwheel 4. .Arm 19 carries a pawl 21, which is held against the ratchet 18by the pressure of spring 22. The arm 19 is'connected to the movableplunger 10 of the electromagnet through a link 1'7 and a rod 18 (Fig.4). The arm 19 is pulled away from the( electromagnet by a spring 23,and through the spring held against a stop24, that may be padded with abit of rubber tubing 24 as shown, and whichis carried upon a secondswinging arm 25 journaled upon'a shaft 2.

i'he stop is adjustable as follows: An arm 26 projects outwardly fromthe swinging arm 25 andis screw threaded to constitute a'nut cooperatingwith a threaded screw member 27. The screw 27 isprov'idedwithaheadorknob28 andapinion 29, cooperating with the metal of the 'case l, thepinion29 being located upon one' side of the case, and the knob 28 upon theother side, the

in detail-in Fig. 5. The pivots may desirably'. f comprise a suitablecup 43, which may be formed .ped or insulating material and proviaeawitn.iournaled upon a bearing in the case member i .held in position bymeans of a screw 33 to which is isoamcaed a pointer s4, which a adaptedto cooperate' with graduations or .other indicating devices upon theexterior of the case 14 in la fashion which is obvious but not showninthe drawings; u v- The mechanism for intermittently 'energizing theelectromagnet comprises a circuit interrupter consisting of avrocker arm35, shown in detail inIig. 5, which is formed ofsuitable insulationmaterial and is pivoted upon a screw orbearin'g 38. One end of the arm35 has an -opening 37: therethrough, within which the arm "il to thearmature 10 is freely movable.

-A pair of nuts 33 are adjustablefalong arm 18.- and serve to actuatethe arm 35 when the armav -ture 10 is pulled inwardly. A spring 39serves to return the arm to its normal position against 4stop 39' whenthe arm 18 and nuts 38 are withdrawn as will be described hereinafter.

In the free end of the arm is positioned a contact carrying screw 40adiustably held in a nxed position by a lock nut 4 1. A balancewheel 42is positioned adjacent the-'armmember 435 and' held upon appropriatepivots, as indicated .of molded composition such as bakelite, or may be'formed of other insulating material and is shown mounted *in the metalof the foundation base 1. The lower pivot is desirably carried by abracket member 44, which also is secured to thebase member 1, andconsists of a cup 45, coman adjusting screw 46. The balance wheel 42 hasa shaft 47 journaled in each of the cups 43 and in which are alsomounted ball bearing members 48 located at the ends of the shaft 47, sothat the shaft turns freely upon the balls 48. Any slack is taken up byadiustment of the screw 46, which is held in adjusted position by locknut 49. If desired, a small quantity of mercury may be positionedin'either or both of the chambers containing the ball bearings 48,partially as a lubricant, and also to insure a betterv electricalconnection at all times, for purposes hereinafter' described.

A 'coiled spring 54 is positioned within a recess in the balance wheel42, as indicated. One end of the spring 54 is attached to the balancewheel 42, and the other end is attached to cup 45, although anyappropriate portion of the bracket 44 is equally suitable.

Upon the balance wheel 42 is mounted a contact carrying member 50, whichis desirably oi' spring metal. The arm lssecured to the wheel 42by thescrew and block arrangement 51, as indicated in Pig. 4. The spring 54 isso adjusted that contacts 40 and 50are maintained together when themechanism is in its normal position oi' rest.

A cable 52 is connected to an appropriate source of electric current,such as any household socketoutlet, and leads the electric current tothe opposed heaters inthe toaster oven,'in manner 4well known but notshown. The circuit to v the coil 9 of the electromagnet is in parallel.One of the terminal wires 9' of thecoil 9 is connected directlyto oneofIthe leads from the cable 52 and the other terminal wire, 9' of the coil9 is connected to the contact 40. The other lead oi' the power' supplycable 52 is connected by wire 53 to the` bearing screw 46 in the cup 45,as indicated, and by the metallic'connection through the screw 46, b allbearing 48, shaft 47. and the ily wheel 42 to the contact 50.

In the operation ofjmy device, current from the cable 52 nowsthrough theheaters as previously described. Simultaneously current flows throughthe normally closed contacts 40 and 50 i of the actuating-mechanism ofmy invention to the electromagnet coil 9. The presence of current in ecoil 3 develops amagnetic held, which 'draws he armature. 10 within thecoil 9 and exerts a pull upon the bar 18 and the link 17,

causing a movement thereof. This movement is transmitted to the pawl 21which cooperating with the ratchet teeth 16. causes a movement of theassociated sprocket 4 and with it the conveyor chain 6. Simultaneously,the rocker arm 35 is moved, by engagement of the nuts 38 therewith theimpulse being transmitted through the contact carrier 40 to contactcarrier 50, which, by reason of the positions of these parts, imparts arotary movement to the balance wheel 42 inthe direction of the arrow inFigs. 1 and 4. After the movement is under way, the inertia of themoving wheel 42 carries it beyond the position 'to which it is pushed bythe pressure upon the contacts 40 and 50, and the contacts areaccordingly separated. The separation of these contacts breaks thecircuit therethrough 'and deenergizes the coil 9, thus' allowingthe-spring 23 to pullthe pawl carrying arm 19 and armature 10 to theiroriginal positions against the stop 24. 'I'his allows the'spring 39. toreturn the arm 35 and contacts 40 to normal' position;-

'Ihe balance wheel 42 may continue to move until the kinetic energyimparted to it by the 4 another small distance.

above described impulse is completelyy converted. into tension in thespring 54, or the movementmay be limited by the-engagement of block 51with the flexible'. stop 55 carried on arm 35. v

The-tension in the spring lthen returns the wheel 42 to its originalposition, reclosing the contactstomaso.'rhisimmedialyreemblishesthecircuittothecoil9andcurrentiiows therein,whereupon the armature 10y is again pulled within the coil, and theabove mentionedk cycle of operation is repeated, thereby moving theThus, the conveyor chain 6 and any toastable material which may bepositioned thereon, such as bread,

.is moved past the opposed heaters. This sequence of operationswill becontinued as long as current is supplied to energize the coil .9 whenthecontactsand50 are closed. s

One means to prevent movement of the chain- Obackwardswhenpawl21isbeingreturne'dtoits -startingpositionbyspringisshownasafrictiondisc57culturingsprocke'twheel.'andheldvinplacel1y`collar58.

IIhemechanicalmakingaruibreaking ofthe circuit tothe electromagnetinsures the definite regular impulses thereof at recurrent intervalswithout variation throughout the entire period .of operation of thetoaster unaffected by any condition 6i' heat accumulation in the base 1,etc. Furthermore, in theoperation of the electromagnets there is a welldeilned.singingor hum, particularly when operated upon alternatingcurrent, each time the plunger is drawn into' thev sheath and seatedupon the stop therefor. 'Ihe hum is dueto imperfect seating of theplunger making' it ve to the alternating cycles of the current'. Variousways yand means have been devised and suggested for the elimination ofthis hum, which is an objectionable noise particularly in householdarticles.

I propose to eliminate this objectionable humA .through the balancedoperation of my control device for the electromagnet.

That is to say, the'breaking of the circuit at the contacts 40 and 50occurs either just prior to theseating ofthe plunger 10 upon itsstop(not shown) or substantiallysimultaneously with the seating of theplunger. If the circuit is broken prior to the seatingI the momentum ofthe armature is sufficient to seat the plunger. In either event, theresult is that at the time the' plungerreachesitsetuponthestopthereisnocurrent flowing in the coil of theeiectromagnet and therefore no magnetic lines of force in the frame 8and the amature 10. Wlthoutcurrent pres' -electromagnetismomentaryandsubstantially instantaneously broken so that the electric forces areinterruptedafter this momentary contact. with this arrangement eddycurrents. etc., cannot build up and accumulate to an extentsumcienttoundulyheatuptheelectromagnetorthe'armature,asisacolnmoncccurrenceinelec tromagnetsof ordinaryconstructionandordinarymes. Hence,ifdesired, asolidplunger 10canbeusedinplaceofthelaminatedplunger showninthe yis governed by theadjustment of the stop 24,

vparted to the rocker arm 35 and balance wheel 142 is not varied for thereason that the rocker arm doesnot follow when the nuts 38 are-'with-`drawinssliereimandnoprovisions have to be made for maintaining theelectromagnetcool.`. The speed. of traverse of the conveyor chain 6lwhich is done by turning the knob 28 to adjust 80 the position of thescrew 27 in the nut 26. When the vstop 24 is rcarried towards the magnet8, only a'short stroke of the paw1-21- is permitted.' Ac cordingly, eachmovement of the balance wheel v 42 and ensuing cycle of operation causesonly a.- small movement of the chain E6. The chain will take longer totraverse the length of the toaster, and thereby a dark toast isobtained. When the stop 24 is pulled away from the magnet structure 8,the spring 23 causes the pawl carrying arm 19 and associated link'l'land arm 18 to follow the stop, so that a maximunrstroke of the pawl 21is permitted, andthe maximum'movement of the conveyor chain 6 is'obtained for each cycle of the balance wheel 42. Accordingly, the toastis conveyed through the toaster at a fairly high -rate of speed, and alight toasting is obtained.

It will be noted however, that the stroke imdrawn from engagementtherewith. The stop y .v 39' prevents that. With the rocker arm .35maintained in a predetermined position, and not moved until thenuts 38engageit, yvarying the position of the nuts 38, by the adjustment ofstop 24, at the start of the forwardmovement thereof has no effect onthe impulse imparted tothe arm 35 because the length of the stroke pastthe predetermined position of the arm 3 5 is always the same.

It may be noted that by this device, a series of strokes of the magnetarmature 10 are obtained at regular intervals, and that-the adjustmentof the rate of travel ofthe conveyor chain `,s is obtained by 'adjustingthe length of each of the regularly recurring sti-okee ofthe actuating;motor. By my invention I have produceda new and usefull toaster device'incorporated a new and 1120l simplified and convenient type ofactuatingl drive for the traversing of a conveyor chain therein. Thisembodiment of my invention is. particularly convenient because of thedurability, ruggedness and simplicity of its operating mechanism.

. Certain subject matter is shownr but notI claimed herein, the samebeing covered in my copending application Ser.- No. 429,088, yledFebruary 17, 1930, now Patent No. 1,894,430, j granted Jan. 17, 1933.-.13.0

While I have shown but a simple embodiment of the device 'of myinvention, it is capable-of various modifications therefrom withoutdepara ture from the spirit thereof. and I desire there'- fo l that suchmodifications shall be covered by the appended claims. y v

I claim: y

1. In combination, a conveyor chain, sprocket wheels lfor 'the supportthereof, one of said sprockets having ratchet teeth thereon, a pawl '140f cooperating therewith, ,anelectromagnet having a frame, a coil, and-anarmature, linkage between said armature and said pawi, and means fortheopening .of the circuit to said coil coml`prising a pair of contacts,a balance' wheel, one' of said contacts being mounted upon said bai-.ancc wheel, and a pivoted arm, the other of said contacts beingsupported thereby.

2. .In combination, a conveyor chain, sprocket wheels for the supportthereof, one of said 15 4 sprockets having ratchet teeth thereon, a pawlcooperating therewith, anelectromagnet having a frame, a coil, and anarmature, linkage between said amature and said pawl, and means for theYi5 opening oi' the circuit to said coil comprising a the circuit ofsaid electromagnet, means for incontacts being carried by the balancewheel, and

pair o! contacts, a balance wheel, one of said contacts being mountedupon said balance wheel, and a pivoted arm, the other of said contactsbeing supported thereby, said arm being actuated from said linkage andactuating said balance wheel.

i. 3. In combination.' a conveyor, sprocket wheels vfor the support andmovement thereof, pawl and ratchet mechanism cooperating therewith, anelectromagnet having a winding and an armature. linkage between thearmature andthe pawl and ratchet mechanism, va pair of contacts in.electromagnet having a winding and an armature, linkage between thearmature and the pawl and ratchet mechanism, a pair oi' contacts interrupting the circuit through said contacts comprisingan oscillatorybalance wheel, one rof said a pivoted arm carrying the other oi' saidcontacts and actuated fromr said linkage to actuate the balance wheel,the a'm'and balance wheel having av normal position .with said contactsclosed, to which-position the parts return aiter each actuation of thebalance wheel.

:6. In combination, a conveyor, sprocket wheels i'or'the support andmovement thereof, pawl and .ratchet-mechanism cooperating therewith, an

eiectromagnet having a .winding and an armature, linkage between theamature and the pawl and ratchet mechanism, a pair of contacts in thecircuit of said electromagnet, means for in-` terrupting the circuitthrough said contacts com. prising an oscillatory balance wheel, one ofsa'id contactsbeing carried by the balance wheel, a

pivoted'a'rui carrying the other oi said contacts actuated fromsaid'linkage to actuate the balance wheel, the arm and balance wheellhaving anormal position -with said contacts closed, to whichposition'the parts return after each )actuation of.r the balance wheel,and means for varying the linkage to vary the operation oi' the`conveyor, the adjustment of the linkage being such as not to disturbthe amount o! movement of the arm in actuating the balance wheel. 6. Ina toaster. a casing. opposed heating ele-4 ments mounted therein, aconveyor having one lasY thereof 'passing between the heating elementsi'or carrying slices of bread therebetween, anda base housing mechanismfor actuating said` conveyor, the mechanism comprising sprocket having atrama-a coil, and an armature, linkage between said armature and saidpawl, and means for the opening oi the circuit to said coil comprising apair o! contacts, abalance wheel, one of said contacts being mountedupon said balance wheel, and a pivoted arm, the other of said contactsbeing supported thereby, said arm being actuated from said linkage and`*actuating said balance wheel. 7. In atoaster, a casing, opposedheatingelements mounted therein, a conveyorhaving one lap thereofpassing between the heating elements for carryins slices oi breadtherebetween. and a base housing mechanism for actuating said conveyor,the mechanism comprising sprocket wheels for the support and movement ofsaid conveyor, pawl and ratchet mechanism cooperating therewith. anelectromagnet having a winding and an armature, linkage between theamature and the pawl and ratchet mechanism, a pair of -contacts in thecircuit of said electromagnet, means for interrupting the circuitthrough said contacts comprising an oscillatory balance wheel. one o!said contacts being carried by the balance wheel. and a pivoted armcarrying the other of said contacts and actuated from said linkage toactuatethe balance wheel, the arm and balance wheel having 4a normalposition with said contacts closed, to which position the parts returnafter each actuation of the balance wheel. 165 8. In a toaster, acasing, opposed heating elements mounted therein, aconveyor having onelap thereof passing between the heating. elements `for carrying 'slicesof bread therebetween.'

V.and a base housing mechanism for actuating 110 said conveyor, themechanism comprising sprock let wheels for thesupport and movement ofsaid' conveyor,- pawl and ratchetmechanism cooperating therewith, anelectromasnet having a winding and an armature, linkagebetween thearmature `1115 and the pawl and ratchet mechanism. a pair of contacts`in the circuit of said electromagnet, means lor interrupting thecircuit through-said contacts comprising an oscillatory balance wheel,

one' o! said contacts being carried Vby the bal- 1N ance wheel, apivoted arm carrying the other o! said contacts. and actuated from saidlinkage to actuate the balance wheel; the arm and balance vwheel havinga normal position with said contacts closed, to-which position the partsreturn 126 attereach actuation ofthe balance wheel, and means forvarying the linkage to vary the operation of the conveyor, theadjustment of the link-v age being such as not to disturb the amount ofmovement of-the arm in actuating 9. In a toaster device, a conveyorchain', members cooperating therewith, and an electro-4 magnet drive iorthe chain and comprising a magnetic frame, a'coil, an armature, andactuating 185 linkage between said conveyor chain and armature, andmeans for cyclically energizing and deenergizing saidI coil comprising a'pair of conlt'acts, and an oscillatory balance wheel for the actuationthereof, one oi said `contacts being 140 movedby movement oi' saidarmature, and the.. other o! said `contactsbeing resiliently mountedupon said balance wheel and adapted to be moved by th"e first'mentionedcontact. r

the

